MUSIC IN THE DIGITAL ERA

David Rose investigates the 'cost of free music' and how the digital era is changing the face of the music industry.

No CD shops by 2020?

A music industry expert says high street retailers are in a state of crisis and there may be no CD shops by 2020.

Senior Teaching Fellow in Popular Music, Leeds University, Simon Warner said:

"I really would be very surprised if in the future we weren't buying the vast majority of our music either through companies like Amazon or downloading through iTunes. I feel as if the high street retailer is in a no win situation. I can't see in 2020 there being too many of those shops left. There may be none left."

Earlier this year major high street record shops Zavvi and Woolworths were unable to survive the economic downturn. Mr Warner predicts that HMV stands the best chance of surviving as they have progressed alongside the digital download market. He said:

"HMV are an interesting case in that they are part of a vertically integrated structure. EMI actually have a strong relationship with HMV. HMV Media is the company that has connections both with EMI the major and also with HMV the retailer. I think there's more chance of HMV surviving because of that connection."

Meanwhile, Assistant Manager, HMV, Poole, Paul Bowden, believes despite a noticeable downturn in CD sales, there is still a market for hard copies of music. Mr Bowden believes HMV can stay ahead of the market through diversification. Click on the links below to hear his views:

HMV are Diversifying

Next Generation stores

HMV's Live music connection

hmv

The myth of MySpace

With 2.5 million hip hop artists and 1.8 million rock acts on MySpace alone, is this social network phenomenon really a route to stardom?

Virtuoso guitarist, author and producer, Richard Newman, 59, claims that MySpace is the “biggest block” to new talent. He said:

“There are so many people on You Tube and MySpace. Who’s got the time to go trawling through all the MySpace pages, nobody could do that...‘My God that song, it’s incredible. I think I should have it. Why don’t we give this guy, three or four million pounds?’ It's rubbish, it’s not going to happen. Everybody wants a quick route for a quick buck.

People think it’s on merit. They think if I practise all day and all night then I’m going to get a deal, well I’m not. It's entertainment...it’s always going to be the same thing, you need an audience, and you need to attract people. I don’t think it’s any different to it has been, you’re going to have to put work in.”

Mr Newman does however see the benefits in social networking amongst fans in that they can share our experiences of concerts, and gigs. He said: “In that sense it’s terrific, it’s like having a huge sort of club.”

But PhD student in composition at Royal Holloway, University of London, Richard Norris said:

“Just look at the Arctic Monkeys and Lilly Allen. They have created a massive following through MySpace, and using the web to their advantage. But we don’t really know if it was because of MySpace, maybe they were just good enough! I do think it’s a good shop window though.”

(Figures taken from the IFPI Digital Music Report 2009, click here to read.)

simon warner

“I feel as if the high street retailer is in a no win situation. I can't see in 2020 there being too many of those shops left. There may be none left.”

Simon Warner, Senior Teaching Fellow in Popular Music, Leeds University.

A great future for live music

Senior Teaching Fellow in Popular Music, Leeds University, Simon Warner believes there is a great future for live music. Click on the link below to hear his views:

A great future for live music

fans